Improvement in step-ladders



C. G. UDELL &1. F. NULL. Step-Ladders.

Patented 1une1A6, 1874.

N0.152,o2s.

-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OALvIN e. UDELL, OF CHICAGO, ILL., AND JOHNF. NULL, OF PHILADELPHIA, PA., sAID NULL AssIeNoE TO sAID UDELL.

IMPROVEMENT IN STEPLADDERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 152,023, dated J une16, 1874 application filed Maly 1e, m74.

- which the following is a specification:

The first part of our invention consists in combinin g the braces whichhold the bracingframe in position with the bracket to which thebracing-frame is pivoted or attached, said braces being pivoted to thebracing-frame and sliding t-hrough the brackets when the adjustment isbeing made. By this means the bracket performs an additional function ofsupporting the brace, while at the same time the lock is very firm andsimple, and can be made at small cost, and in operation will not projectin front ofthe steps, so as to be in the way. The second part of ourinvention consists in the novel construction of combined nail-fastenerand clamp for securing the stiles to the steps, as the whole ishereinafter fully described and shown.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is an elevation of the top part of astep-ladder patented by Calvin G. Udell, J une 8, 1869; and Fig. 2, aninverted, broken, horizontal section through one of the stiles below thestep, showing the position of the fastener; Fig. 3, an'enlarged sideflevation of the fastener; Fig. 4, an enlarged plan view of thefastener; Fig. 5, a broken elevation of the brace for holding thebracing-frame in a fixed position; Fig. G, a top or plan view of thebrace; Fig. 7, a broken section of the plate which holds the brace tothe stile, and a section of the catch; Fig. S, a front elevation of thecatch removed from the face-plate.

A represents the stile; B, the step; C, the

, bracing-frame, and G the bracket, constructed 'firmly with the stiles.

The opposite end of the brace is provided with a notch, O, Figs. 1 and5, to lock against a sliding catch, H, Figs. 1, 7, and 8, and on itsextreme end is a nib or projection, M, by means of which thebracing-trame is prevented from swinging back too far. The bracket G isrecessed out on its back-side, as shown in Fig. 7, in order that thenotched end O of the brace E may pass between it and the stile A; andsaid bracket is also provided with a slot, in which a latch, H, slides,the back part of the latch being provided with a wide tlange, T, that itmay be held in place and not turn by the pressure of the brace E.

The bracing-frame C is shownset out from A the stiles A, as when in use.

To close the frame, the sliding catch H is raised up by a projectingnib, M', the moving of which allows the brace E to slide through thebracket G, and the bracing-frame C to shut against the step Q oftheladder, as shown by dotted lines W. In the present construction, thebrace E runs under the lower ends of the bracket G, but it may run undera separate plate attached to the stile, and operate just as well; butthe cost of manufacture in such a case will be somewhat increased.

By a practical test, it is found that a bracing-frame thus held is muchmore convenient than when a rope or cord is used, inasmuch as the ladderas a whole can be moved from place to place, and at the same time retaina posit-ion for use. WVhen a cord is used to hold the bracing-frame, thelatter changes its position relative to t-he stiles every time theladder is moved; consequently the frame hasl to be readjusted. Ourinvention is to obviate this objection. rIhe steps Q are held to thestiles A by means as follows: A bar, J has cast solid to it nails S Sand a clamp or anchor, K. rIhe nails are driven through the stiles Ainto the steps, and the anchor K passes under the steps, and the spur-Fon its end is driven into the step, and a nail or screw is put throughthe hole R into the step, thus uniting the steps The parts J K S P aremade of a single piece of casting, the metal used being generallymalleable iron. The means now used to fasten the steps consist of 2nieuwe nails or screws, but as they have to be driven into the stepslengthwise of the grain, they do not hold so Well nor make so strong` alad der as when the present fastening is used.

Only one side of a ladder is shown; but in practice each side ot' theladder is to be provided With a brace, E, and both ends of the steps areto be fastened by the nails and anchors, right and left hand i'asteningsbeing made for that purpose.

W'e do not claim the supporting the bracingfralne by a rack or braceirrespective of the construction and arrangement of the bracket, as arack has been before used.

Ve claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The bar J, nails S,and anchor K, east in' CALVIN Gr. UDELL. JOHN F. NULL.`

Witnesses:

J. H. ELLroTT, L. H. FISH.

